Mehta Basti Ram - Revision history

Zuko at 10:50, 25 March 2026

2026-03-25T10:50:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:20, 25 March 2026
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	{{Short description\|Dogra military officer and governor of Ladakh in 19th-century India}}		{{Short description\|Dogra military officer and governor of Ladakh in 19th-century India}}

			{{Infobox officeholder
			\| name = Mehta Basti Ram
			\| caption = Zorawar Fort Ladakh, where Basti Ram was the first ''Qiladar'' (commandant)
			\| image = Mehta Basti Ram.jpg
			\| birth_date = Early 19th century
			\| birth_place = [[Kishtwar]], Jammu, Sikh Empire
			\| death_date = Late 19th century
			\| death_place = [[Kishtwar]], Jammu and Kashmir, [[British Raj]]
			\| nationality = [[Dogra people\|Dogra]]
			\| occupation = Military officer, Governor
			\| allegiance = [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)\|Jammu and Kashmir]]
			\| rank = Colonel
			\| unit = [[Fateh Shibji Battalion]]
			\| battles = [[Dogra invasion of Ladakh]], [[Dogra–Tibetan War]]
			\| office = Governor of Leh
			\| term_start = 1847
			\| term_end = 1861
			\| predecessor = [[Zorawar Singh Kahluria\|Zorawar Singh]]
			\| successor = [[Mehta Mangal]] (son)
			\| spouse = Unknown
			\| children = *Mehta Mangal
			*[[Krishna Mehta]] (great-granddaughter), [[Om Mehta]] (great-grandson)
			}}
	'''Mehta Basti Ram''' was a [[Dogras\|Dogra]] officer and commander of the Fateh Shibji battalion under Raja [[Gulab Singh]] of [[Jammu Division\|Jammu]] (later Maharaja of [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)\|Jammu and Kashmir]]). Basti Ram later served as the governor (''thanadar'') of [[Leh]] in [[Ladakh]] between 1847 and 1861.{{Sfn\|Francke\|1926\|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.175780/page/n273/mode/2up 257]}} Basti Ram joined the service of Raja Gulab Singh in 1821 and became an officer under General [[Zorawar Singh Kahluria\|Zorawar Singh]] during his conquest of Ladakh between 1834 and 1841. After holding positions such as the governor of [[Burang Town\|Taklakot]] (briefly) and thanadar of [[Zanskar]], he became the [[History of Ladakh\|second governor]] of Leh under Maharaja Gulab Singh.		'''Mehta Basti Ram''' was a [[Dogras\|Dogra]] officer and commander of the Fateh Shibji battalion under Raja [[Gulab Singh]] of [[Jammu Division\|Jammu]] (later Maharaja of [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)\|Jammu and Kashmir]]). Basti Ram later served as the governor (''thanadar'') of [[Leh]] in [[Ladakh]] between 1847 and 1861.{{Sfn\|Francke\|1926\|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.175780/page/n273/mode/2up 257]}} Basti Ram joined the service of Raja Gulab Singh in 1821 and became an officer under General [[Zorawar Singh Kahluria\|Zorawar Singh]] during his conquest of Ladakh between 1834 and 1841. After holding positions such as the governor of [[Burang Town\|Taklakot]] (briefly) and thanadar of [[Zanskar]], he became the [[History of Ladakh\|second governor]] of Leh under Maharaja Gulab Singh.

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	=== Dogra conquest of Ladakh ===		=== Dogra conquest of Ladakh ===
	Basti Ram was one of the main officers of [[Zorawar Singh Kahluria\|Zorawar]]'s force and played a crucial role at multiple locations of the ~~conquest~~ of Ladakh which started in 1834. He led an attack that resulted in the capture of the Fort of Sod/Soth (in [[Kargil]]) and subsequently the ''Gyalpo''.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=335}} The assault included crossing the [[Indus River]] on inflated goatskins.{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=65}} During the conquest of Baltistan, which started during the end of 1840, he found a way to cross a river that had caused Zorawar's army to halt for over a month in the cold and snow.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=347–349}} For this innovation, Zorawar Singh gifted Basti Ram Rs. 500 and a pair of gold bangles.{{Efn\|[[G. D. Bakshi]] writes that this [[bridgehead]] operation deserves to be "a classic" in "military history books".{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=88}}\|name=\|group=}}{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=349}} Basti Ram was also present during the capture of [[Skardu]].{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=349–350}}		Basti Ram was one of the main officers of [[Zorawar Singh Kahluria\|Zorawar]]'s force and played a crucial role at multiple locations in the unification of [[Ladakh]] which started in 1834. He led an attack that resulted in the capture of the Fort of Sod/Soth (in [[Kargil]]) and subsequently the ''Gyalpo''.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=335}} The assault included crossing the [[Indus River]] on inflated goatskins.{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=65}} During the conquest of Baltistan, which started during the end of 1840, he found a way to cross a river that had caused Zorawar's army to halt for over a month in the cold and snow.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=347–349}} For this innovation, Zorawar Singh gifted Basti Ram Rs. 500 and a pair of gold bangles.{{Efn\|[[G. D. Bakshi]] writes that this [[bridgehead]] operation deserves to be "a classic" in "military history books".{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=88}}\|name=\|group=}}{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=349}} Basti Ram was also present during the capture of [[Skardu]].{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=349–350}}

	After Zorawar Singh's forces captured Western Tibet, Basti Ram was appointed the governor of [[Burang Town\|Taklakot]] ([[Burang Town\|Burang]]).{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=351}} Soon afterwards, the Tibetans launched a counterattack during winter. Zorawar Singh was killed on 12 December 1941 and his army defeated.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=352}} The men stationed at Taklakot fled to the British province of [[Kumaon division\|Kumaon]].{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=353}} Basti Ram escaped to [[Almora]] where the British commissioner gave him shelter.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=332}} By the autumn of 1846, Basti Ram was appointed the ''thanadar'' of [[Zanskar]] and "one of the confidential servants of Maharaja Gulab Sing.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=355}}		After Zorawar Singh's forces captured Western Tibet, Basti Ram was appointed the governor of [[Burang Town\|Taklakot]] ([[Burang Town\|Burang]]).{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=351}} Soon afterwards, the Tibetans launched a counterattack during winter. Zorawar Singh was killed on 12 December 1941 and his army was defeated.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=352}} The men stationed at Taklakot fled to the British province of [[Kumaon division\|Kumaon]].{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=353}} Basti Ram escaped to [[Almora]] where the British commissioner gave him shelter.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=332}} By the autumn of 1846, Basti Ram was appointed the ''thanadar'' of [[Zanskar]] and "one of the confidential servants of Maharaja Gulab Sing.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=355}}

	Basti Ram provided one of the earliest written accounts of the Dogra conquest of Ladakh and beyond, twelve years after the events. While the original version was lost, [[Alexander Cunningham]] had re-written Basti Ram's account based on a dictation by Basti Ram himself.{{Sfn\|Francke\|1926\|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.175780/page/n273/mode/2up 257]}}{{Sfn\|Neve\|1913\|p=246}} [[August Hermann Francke (Tibetologist)\|August Hermann Francke]] notes that Basti Ram may have exaggerated the enemy numbers at certain locations.{{Sfn\|Francke\|1926\|p=261}}		Basti Ram provided one of the earliest written accounts of the Dogra conquest of Ladakh and beyond, twelve years after the events. While the original version was lost, [[Alexander Cunningham]] had re-written Basti Ram's account based on a dictation by Basti Ram himself.{{Sfn\|Francke\|1926\|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.175780/page/n273/mode/2up 257]}}{{Sfn\|Neve\|1913\|p=246}} [[August Hermann Francke (Tibetologist)\|August Hermann Francke]] notes that Basti Ram may have exaggerated the enemy numbers at certain locations.{{Sfn\|Francke\|1926\|p=261}}

	=== Governor of Leh ===		=== Governor of Leh ===
	Basti Ram was appointed the thanadar of Leh between 1847 and 1861.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=273–274}} At the time there were four thanadars for Ladakh, in Zanskar, Kargil, Dras and Nubra.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=273–274}} All the thanadars had military and civil authority in their districts and were accountable directly to the Maharaja.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=273–274}} [[Alexander Cunningham]] estimated that Basti Ram's income would have been a "respectable" Rs.18,000 annually, (roughly £1,800 a year).{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=274}} Lieutenant Colonel [[Henry Torrens]], who passed through Ladakh in 1862, noted that Basti Ram had retired to his home in Kishtawar on account of old age, and a successor had not yet been appointed by the Maharaja".{{Sfn\|Torrens\|1862\|p=171–172}} Instead, Torrens met the ''Kahlon''{{Efn\|Also spelt ''Kahlon''.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=277}} Old Tibetan title signifying Prime Minister.{{Sfn\|Torrens\|1862\|p=171–172}} Cunningham notes that "the term is also applied to the chief men of all the districts."{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=335}}\|name=\|group=}} of Leh, the "nominal governor", who got little respect from the Sikhs [Dogras].{{Sfn\|Torrens\|1862\|p=172}}		Basti Ram was appointed the thanadar of Leh between 1847 and 1861.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=273–274}} At the time there were four thanadars for Ladakh, in Zanskar, Kargil, Dras and Nubra.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=273–274}} All the thanadars had military and civil authority in their districts and were accountable directly to the Maharaja.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=273–274}} [[Alexander Cunningham]] estimated that Basti Ram's income would have been a "respectable" Rs.18,000 annually, (roughly £1,800 a year).{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=274}} Lieutenant Colonel [[Henry Torrens (British Army officer, born 1833)\|Henry Torrens]], who passed through Ladakh in 1862, noted that Basti Ram had retired to his home in Kishtawar on account of old age, and a successor had not yet been appointed by the Maharaja".{{Sfn\|Torrens\|1862\|p=171–172}} Instead, Torrens met the ''Kahlon''{{Efn\|Also spelt ''Kahlon''.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=277}} Old Tibetan title signifying Prime Minister.{{Sfn\|Torrens\|1862\|p=171–172}} Cunningham notes that "the term is also applied to the chief men of all the districts."{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=335}}\|name=\|group=}} of Leh, the "nominal governor", who got little respect from the Sikhs [Dogras].{{Sfn\|Torrens\|1862\|p=172}}
	== Family ==		== Family ==
	Basti Ram was ~~a [[Rajput\|Hindu Rajput]] of~~ the Mehta family from [[Kishtwar]]. His grandfather had been in charge of military affairs under the last Kishtwar ruler Mohammad Teg Singh.{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=120}}<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Nayyar\|first=Sanjeev\|date=2016\|title=Zorawar Singh Museum Leh\|url=https://www.esamskriti.com/album-detail.aspx?state=Jammu-and-Kashmir&albumname=Zorawar-Singh-Museum-Leh\|access-date=2021-01-05\|website=eSamskriti\|language=en-us}}</ref> Basti Ram's son [[Mehta Mangal]] succeeded him as Governor of Ladakh.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book\|last=Chohan\|first=Amar Singh\|url=http://archive.org/details/dli.ernet.242486\|title=Historical Study Of Society and Culture In Dardistan and Ladakh\|publisher=Atlantic Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi\|year=1983\|pages=200–201}}</ref>		Basti Ram was born in the Mehta family from [[Kishtwar]]. His grandfather had been in charge of military affairs under the last Kishtwar ruler Mohammad Teg Singh.{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=120}}<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Nayyar\|first=Sanjeev\|date=2016\|title=Zorawar Singh Museum Leh\|url=https://www.esamskriti.com/album-detail.aspx?state=Jammu-and-Kashmir&albumname=Zorawar-Singh-Museum-Leh\|access-date=2021-01-05\|website=eSamskriti\|language=en-us}}</ref> Basti Ram's son [[Mehta Mangal]] succeeded him as Governor of Ladakh.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book\|last=Chohan\|first=Amar Singh\|url=http://archive.org/details/dli.ernet.242486\|title=Historical Study Of Society and Culture In Dardistan and Ladakh\|publisher=Atlantic Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi\|year=1983\|pages=200–201}}</ref>

	Basti Ram's great-granddaughter was [[~~Krishna Mehta (Kashmir)\|~~Krishna Mehta]], who went on to become the first woman member of parliament from Jammu and Kashmir. Krishna Mehta had been married to Duni Chand Mehta who was appointed as the ''wazir-e-wazarat'' of [[Muzaffarabad]]. In October 1947, Duni Chand was killed by [[Pashtun tribal invasion of Kashmir\|Pashtun tribal militias]],<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Krishna Mehta\|url=http://krishnamehta.net/KrishnaMehta.htm\|access-date=2020-12-29\|website=krishnamehta.net}}</ref> and Krishna Mehta was taken prisoner and eventually repatriated by Pakistan. Krishna Mehta's brother [[Om Mehta]] served as a [[Cabinet of India\|Minister of State]] for Home Affairs in [[Indira Gandhi]]'s government in 1976. Another younger brother Ved Mehta was at one time the president of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu.<ref>{{Cite web\|date=28 April 2015\|title=Ved Mehta passes away\|url=http://www.kashmirtimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=40351\|access-date=2020-12-29\|website=Kashmir Times}}</ref>		Basti Ram's great-granddaughter was [[Krishna Mehta]], who went on to become the first woman member of parliament from Jammu and Kashmir. Krishna Mehta had been married to Duni Chand Mehta who was appointed as the ''wazir-e-wazarat'' of [[Muzaffarabad]]. In October 1947, Duni Chand was killed by [[Pashtun tribal invasion of Kashmir\|Pashtun tribal militias]],<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Krishna Mehta\|url=http://krishnamehta.net/KrishnaMehta.htm\|access-date=2020-12-29\|website=krishnamehta.net}}</ref> and Krishna Mehta was taken prisoner and eventually repatriated by Pakistan. Krishna Mehta's brother Om Mehta served as a [[Cabinet of India\|Minister of State]] for Home Affairs in [[Indira Gandhi]]'s government in 1976. Another younger brother Ved Mehta was at one time the president of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu.<ref>{{Cite web\|date=28 April 2015\|title=Ved Mehta passes away\|url=http://www.kashmirtimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=40351\|access-date=2020-12-29\|website=Kashmir Times}}</ref>

	== References ==		== References ==
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	* {{Cite book\|last=Francke\|first=August Hermann\|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.175780/page/n273/mode/2up \|via=archive.org \|chapter=Basti Ram's account of Dogra War and Cunningham's 'other information' \|title=Antiquities of Indian Tibet\|publisher=S. Chand & Co.\|year=1926\|isbn=9788120607699\|editor-last=Thomas\|editor-first=Frederick William\|volume=2: The Chronicles of Ladakh and Minor Chronicles\|location=New Delhi\|publication-date=1972\|author-link=August Hermann Francke (Tibetologist)}}		* {{Cite book\|last=Francke\|first=August Hermann\|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.175780/page/n273/mode/2up \|via=archive.org \|chapter=Basti Ram's account of Dogra War and Cunningham's 'other information' \|title=Antiquities of Indian Tibet\|publisher=S. Chand & Co.\|year=1926\|isbn=9788120607699\|editor-last=Thomas\|editor-first=Frederick William\|volume=2: The Chronicles of Ladakh and Minor Chronicles\|location=New Delhi\|publication-date=1972\|author-link=August Hermann Francke (Tibetologist)}}
	* {{Cite book\|last=Bakshi\|first=G. D.\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4S99oXkx_-cC\|title=Footprints in the Snow: On the Trail of Zorawar Singh\|publisher=Lancer Publishers\|year=2002\|isbn=9788170622925\|location=New Delhi\|chapter=9—Colonel Basti Ram: Tactician Par Excellence\|author-link=G. D. Bakshi}}		* {{Cite book\|last=Bakshi\|first=G. D.\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4S99oXkx_-cC\|title=Footprints in the Snow: On the Trail of Zorawar Singh\|publisher=Lancer Publishers\|year=2002\|isbn=9788170622925\|location=New Delhi\|chapter=9—Colonel Basti Ram: Tactician Par Excellence\|author-link=G. D. Bakshi}}
	*{{Cite book\|last=Torrens\|url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.35521\|title=Travels in Ladakh, Tartary, and Kashmir\|publisher=Saunders, Otley's, and Co.\|year=1862\|location=London\|first=Lieut–Colonel Henry D.\|author-link=Henry Torrens}}		*{{Cite book\|last=Torrens\|url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.35521\|title=Travels in Ladakh, Tartary, and Kashmir\|publisher=Saunders, Otley's, and Co.\|year=1862\|location=London\|first=Lieut–Colonel Henry D.\|author-link=Henry Torrens (British Army officer, born 1833)}}
	*{{Cite book\|last=Neve\|first=Arthur\|title=Thirty Years in Kashmir\|publisher=[[Edward Arnold (publisher)\|Edward Arnold]]\|year=1913\|location=London\|author-link=Arthur Neve}}		*{{Cite book\|last=Neve\|first=Arthur\|title=Thirty Years in Kashmir\|publisher=[[Edward Arnold (publisher)\|Edward Arnold]]\|year=1913\|location=London\|author-link=Arthur Neve}}
	*{{Cite book\|last=Cunningham\|first=Alexander\|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.127431/mode/1up?q=Mehta+Basti+Ram\|title=Ladak, Physical, Statistical, and Historical; with notices of the surrounding countries\|publisher=[[W. H. Allen & Co.]]\|year=1854\|location=London\|author-link=Alexander Cunningham}}		*{{Cite book\|last=Cunningham\|first=Alexander\|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.127431/mode/1up?q=Mehta+Basti+Ram\|title=Ladak, Physical, Statistical, and Historical; with notices of the surrounding countries\|publisher=[[W. H. Allen & Co.]]\|year=1854\|location=London\|author-link=Alexander Cunningham}}
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	* {{Cite book\|last1=Kaul\|first1=Shridhar\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8J3YdskW00sC\|title=Ladakh Through the Ages, Towards a New Identity\|last2=Kaul\|first2=H. N.\|publisher=Indus Publishing\|year=1992\|isbn=9788185182759\|edition=3\|location=New Delhi}}		* {{Cite book\|last1=Kaul\|first1=Shridhar\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8J3YdskW00sC\|title=Ladakh Through the Ages, Towards a New Identity\|last2=Kaul\|first2=H. N.\|publisher=Indus Publishing\|year=1992\|isbn=9788185182759\|edition=3\|location=New Delhi}}
	* {{Cite book\|last=Kaul\|first=H. N.\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mg8My6WaWRcC\|title=Rediscovery of Ladakh\|publisher=Indus Publishing\|year=1998\|isbn=9788173870866\|location=New Delhi}}		* {{Cite book\|last=Kaul\|first=H. N.\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mg8My6WaWRcC\|title=Rediscovery of Ladakh\|publisher=Indus Publishing\|year=1998\|isbn=9788173870866\|location=New Delhi}}

			{{Sikh Empire\|state=collapsed}}

	[[Category:Governors of Ladakh]]		[[Category:Governors of Ladakh]]
	[[Category:People from Kishtwar district]]		[[Category:People from Kishtwar district]]
	[[Category:Dogra people]]		[[Category:Dogra people]]
	[[Category:19th-century Indian ~~people~~]]		[[Category:19th-century Indian military personnel]]

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← Older revision		Revision as of 02:22, 22 June 2022
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	== Life ==		== Life ==
	In 1821, when [[Gulab Singh]], the ~~first Maharaja~~ of the [[~~Dogra dynasty~~]] ~~of Jammu and Kashmir~~, conquered [[Kishtwar]], Basti Ram joined his service and was soon under General [[Zorawar Singh Kahluria\|Zorawar Singh]].{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=120}} Colonel ~~Mehta Basti Ram raised and~~ led Zorawar Singh's Jangi Fauj, later reorganised and renamed as the Fateh Shibji{{Efn\|Also referred to as 8 Shibji Paltan later reorganised into the 7 Shibji.{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=52}}\|name=\|group=}} from 1834 to 1841.{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=52, 117}} ~~The~~ Fateh Shibji went on to become the 4th Battalion of the [[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles\|Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment]] (it retains the historic name Fateh Shibji).{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=52, 117}} Major General [[G. D. Bakshi]] wrote in 2002 that Basti Ram was a "tactician par excellence" and that he "should be a role model for Indian battalion commanders".{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=144}}		In 1821, when [[Gulab Singh]], the Raja of Jammu under the [[Sikh Empire]], conquered [[Kishtwar]], Basti Ram joined his service and was soon under General [[Zorawar Singh Kahluria\|Zorawar Singh]].{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=120}} At a rank of Colonel, he led Zorawar Singh's ''Jangi Fauj'', later reorganised and renamed as the Fateh Shibji force{{Efn\|Also referred to as 8 Shibji Paltan later reorganised into the 7 Shibji.{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=52}}\|name=\|group=}} from 1834 to 1841.{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=52, 117}} Fateh Shibji went on to become the 4th Battalion of the [[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles\|Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment]] (it retains the historic name Fateh Shibji).{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=52, 117}} Major General [[G. D. Bakshi]] wrote in 2002 that Basti Ram was a "tactician par excellence" and that he "should be a role model for Indian battalion commanders".{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=144}}
	[[File:Zorawerfort.jpg\|right\|thumb\|165x165px\|Zorawar fort in Ladakh. Basti Ram was the first ''Qiladar'' (commandant).<ref>{{Cite book\|last=Bansal\|first=Bobby Singh\|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jUiwDAAAQBAJ&q=Colonel+Mehta+Basti+Ram&pg=PT231\|title=Remnants of the Sikh Empire: Historical Sikh Monuments in India & Pakistan\|date=2015-12-01\|publisher=Hay House, Inc\|isbn=978-93-84544-93-5\|language=en\|chapter=10}}</ref>]]		[[File:Zorawerfort.jpg\|right\|thumb\|165x165px\|Zorawar fort in Ladakh. Basti Ram was the first ''Qiladar'' (commandant).<ref>{{Cite book\|last=Bansal\|first=Bobby Singh\|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jUiwDAAAQBAJ&q=Colonel+Mehta+Basti+Ram&pg=PT231\|title=Remnants of the Sikh Empire: Historical Sikh Monuments in India & Pakistan\|date=2015-12-01\|publisher=Hay House, Inc\|isbn=978-93-84544-93-5\|language=en\|chapter=10}}</ref>]]

	=== Dogra conquest of Ladakh ===		=== Dogra conquest of Ladakh ===
	~~Mehta~~ Basti Ram was one of the main officers of [[Zorawar Singh Kahluria\|Zorawar]]'s force and played a crucial role at multiple locations of the conquest of Ladakh which started in 1834. ~~Basti Ram~~ led an attack that resulted in the capture of the Fort of Sod/Soth (in [[Kargil]]) and subsequently the ''Gyalpo''.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=335}} The assault included crossing the [[Indus River]] on inflated goatskins.{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=65}} During the conquest of ~~Balti~~ which started during the end of 1840, he found a way to cross a river that had caused Zorawar's army to halt for over a month in the cold and snow ~~causing indiscipline to set in~~.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=347–349}} For this Zorawar gifted ~~Mehta~~ Basti Ram Rs. 500 and a pair of gold bangles ~~while other instrumental soldiers were given gifts of lesser value~~.{{Efn\|[[G. D. Bakshi]] writes that this [[bridgehead]] operation deserves to be "a classic" in "military history books".{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=88}}\|name=\|group=}}{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=349}} Basti Ram was also present during the capture of [[Skardu]].{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=349–350}}		Basti Ram was one of the main officers of [[Zorawar Singh Kahluria\|Zorawar]]'s force and played a crucial role at multiple locations of the conquest of Ladakh which started in 1834. He led an attack that resulted in the capture of the Fort of Sod/Soth (in [[Kargil]]) and subsequently the ''Gyalpo''.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=335}} The assault included crossing the [[Indus River]] on inflated goatskins.{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=65}} During the conquest of Baltistan, which started during the end of 1840, he found a way to cross a river that had caused Zorawar's army to halt for over a month in the cold and snow.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=347–349}} For this innovation, Zorawar Singh gifted Basti Ram Rs. 500 and a pair of gold bangles.{{Efn\|[[G. D. Bakshi]] writes that this [[bridgehead]] operation deserves to be "a classic" in "military history books".{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=88}}\|name=\|group=}}{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=349}} Basti Ram was also present during the capture of [[Skardu]].{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=349–350}}

	After Zorawar Singh's forces captured Western Tibet, Basti Ram was appointed the governor of [[Burang Town\|Taklakot]] ([[Burang Town\|Burang]]).{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=351}} Soon afterwards, the Tibetans launched a counterattack during winter. Zorawar Singh was killed on 12 December 1941 and his army defeated.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=352}} The men stationed at Taklakot fled to the British province of Kumaon.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=353}} Basti Ram escaped to Almora where a British ~~resident~~ gave him shelter.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=332}} By the autumn of 1846, Basti Ram was appointed the ''thanadar'' of [[Zanskar]] and "one of the confidential servants of Maharaja Gulab Sing~~(h)"~~.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=355}}		After Zorawar Singh's forces captured Western Tibet, Basti Ram was appointed the governor of [[Burang Town\|Taklakot]] ([[Burang Town\|Burang]]).{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=351}} Soon afterwards, the Tibetans launched a counterattack during winter. Zorawar Singh was killed on 12 December 1941 and his army defeated.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=352}} The men stationed at Taklakot fled to the British province of [[Kumaon division\|Kumaon]].{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=353}} Basti Ram escaped to [[Almora]] where the British commissioner gave him shelter.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=332}} By the autumn of 1846, Basti Ram was appointed the ''thanadar'' of [[Zanskar]] and "one of the confidential servants of Maharaja Gulab Sing.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=355}}

	Basti Ram~~'s account~~ of the Dogra conquest of Ladakh and beyond, twelve years after the events~~, was one of the earliest~~. While the original version was lost, [[Alexander Cunningham]] had re-written Basti Ram's account based on a dictation by Basti Ram himself.{{Sfn\|Francke\|1926\|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.175780/page/n273/mode/2up 257]}}{{Sfn\|Neve\|~~1926~~\|p=246}} [[August Hermann Francke (Tibetologist)\|August Hermann Francke]] notes that Basti Ram may have exaggerated the enemy numbers at certain locations.{{Sfn\|Francke\|1926\|p=261}}		Basti Ram provided one of the earliest written accounts of the Dogra conquest of Ladakh and beyond, twelve years after the events. While the original version was lost, [[Alexander Cunningham]] had re-written Basti Ram's account based on a dictation by Basti Ram himself.{{Sfn\|Francke\|1926\|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.175780/page/n273/mode/2up 257]}}{{Sfn\|Neve\|1913\|p=246}} [[August Hermann Francke (Tibetologist)\|August Hermann Francke]] notes that Basti Ram may have exaggerated the enemy numbers at certain locations.{{Sfn\|Francke\|1926\|p=261}}

	=== Governor of ~~Ladakh~~ ===		=== Governor of Leh ===
	Basti Ram ~~being~~ the thanadar of Leh ~~was the principal thanadar of Ladakh~~ between 1847 and 1861.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=273–274}} At the time there were four ~~other~~ thanadars for Zanskar, Kargil, Dras and Nubra.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=273–274}} All the thanadars ~~were independent of each other, each having~~ military and civil authority in their districts and ~~each one was only~~ accountable to the Maharaja.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=273–274}} [[Alexander Cunningham]] estimated that Basti Ram's income would have been a "respectable" Rs.18,000 annually, (roughly £1,800 a year).{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=274}} ~~Basti Ram had previously been the incharge of Zanskar.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=273–274}} By the time~~ Lieutenant Colonel [[Henry Torrens]] passed through Ladakh, ~~Torrens wrote~~ that ~~"the Governor,~~ Basti Ram, had ~~grown too old and feeble to hold the reins of Government, and had, some months before,~~ retired to his home in ~~the valley~~ of ~~Kishtawar~~, ~~there to spend the last days of his active life in peace;~~ a successor had not yet been appointed by the Maharaja".{{Sfn\|Torrens\|1862\|p=171–172}} Instead, Torrens met the ''~~Kahlone~~''{{Efn\|Also spelt ''Kahlon''.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=277}} Old Tibetan title signifying Prime Minister.{{Sfn\|Torrens\|1862\|p=171–172}} Cunningham notes that "the term is also applied to the chief men of all the districts."{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=335}}\|name=\|group=}} ''of ~~Le''~~, the "nominal governor"~~. The ''Kahlone''~~ got little respect from the Sikhs.{{Sfn\|Torrens\|1862\|p=172}}		Basti Ram was appointed the thanadar of Leh between 1847 and 1861.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=273–274}} At the time there were four thanadars for Ladakh, in Zanskar, Kargil, Dras and Nubra.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=273–274}} All the thanadars had military and civil authority in their districts and were accountable directly to the Maharaja.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=273–274}} [[Alexander Cunningham]] estimated that Basti Ram's income would have been a "respectable" Rs.18,000 annually, (roughly £1,800 a year).{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=274}} Lieutenant Colonel [[Henry Torrens]], who passed through Ladakh in 1862, noted that Basti Ram had retired to his home in Kishtawar on account of old age, and a successor had not yet been appointed by the Maharaja".{{Sfn\|Torrens\|1862\|p=171–172}} Instead, Torrens met the ''Kahlon''{{Efn\|Also spelt ''Kahlon''.{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=277}} Old Tibetan title signifying Prime Minister.{{Sfn\|Torrens\|1862\|p=171–172}} Cunningham notes that "the term is also applied to the chief men of all the districts."{{Sfn\|Cunningham\|1854\|p=335}}\|name=\|group=}} of Leh, the "nominal governor", who got little respect from the Sikhs [Dogras].{{Sfn\|Torrens\|1862\|p=172}}
	== Family ==		== Family ==
	Basti Ram was a [[Rajput\|Hindu Rajput]] of the Mehta family from [[Kishtwar]]. His grandfather had been in charge of military affairs under the last Kishtwar ruler Mohammad Teg Singh.{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=120}}<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Nayyar\|first=Sanjeev\|date=2016\|title=Zorawar Singh Museum Leh\|url=https://www.esamskriti.com/album-detail.aspx?state=Jammu-and-Kashmir&albumname=Zorawar-Singh-Museum-Leh\|access-date=2021-01-05\|website=eSamskriti\|language=en-us}}</ref> Basti Ram's son [[Mehta Mangal]] succeeded him as Governor of Ladakh.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book\|last=Chohan\|first=Amar Singh\|url=http://archive.org/details/dli.ernet.242486\|title=Historical Study Of Society and Culture In Dardistan and Ladakh\|publisher=Atlantic Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi\|year=1983\|pages=200–201}}</ref>		Basti Ram was a [[Rajput\|Hindu Rajput]] of the Mehta family from [[Kishtwar]]. His grandfather had been in charge of military affairs under the last Kishtwar ruler Mohammad Teg Singh.{{Sfn\|Bakshi\|2002\|p=120}}<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Nayyar\|first=Sanjeev\|date=2016\|title=Zorawar Singh Museum Leh\|url=https://www.esamskriti.com/album-detail.aspx?state=Jammu-and-Kashmir&albumname=Zorawar-Singh-Museum-Leh\|access-date=2021-01-05\|website=eSamskriti\|language=en-us}}</ref> Basti Ram's son [[Mehta Mangal]] succeeded him as Governor of Ladakh.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book\|last=Chohan\|first=Amar Singh\|url=http://archive.org/details/dli.ernet.242486\|title=Historical Study Of Society and Culture In Dardistan and Ladakh\|publisher=Atlantic Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi\|year=1983\|pages=200–201}}</ref>
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	[[Category:Governors of Ladakh]]		[[Category:Governors of Ladakh]]
	[[Category:People from Kishtwar district]]		[[Category:People from Kishtwar district]]
			[[Category:Dogra people]]
	[[Category:19th-century Indian people]]		[[Category:19th-century Indian people]]

imported>Kautilya3: /* Family */ It is "Mehta" in the source

2021-06-14T19:23:02Z

Family: It is "Mehta" in the source

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{{Short description|Dogra military officer and governor of Ladakh in 19th-century India}}
'''Mehta Basti Ram''' was a [[Dogras|Dogra]] officer and commander of the Fateh Shibji battalion under Raja [[Gulab Singh]] of [[Jammu Division|Jammu]] (later Maharaja of [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]). Basti Ram later served as the governor (''thanadar'') of [[Leh]] in [[Ladakh]] between 1847 and 1861.{{Sfn|Francke|1926|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.175780/page/n273/mode/2up 257]}} Basti Ram joined the service of Raja Gulab Singh in 1821 and became an officer under General [[Zorawar Singh Kahluria|Zorawar Singh]] during his conquest of Ladakh between 1834 and 1841. After holding positions such as the governor of [[Burang Town|Taklakot]] (briefly) and thanadar of [[Zanskar]], he became the [[History of Ladakh|second governor]] of Leh under Maharaja Gulab Singh.

== Life ==
In 1821, when [[Gulab Singh]], the first Maharaja of the [[Dogra dynasty]] of Jammu and Kashmir, conquered [[Kishtwar]], Basti Ram joined his service and was soon under General [[Zorawar Singh Kahluria|Zorawar Singh]].{{Sfn|Bakshi|2002|p=120}} Colonel Mehta Basti Ram raised and led Zorawar Singh's Jangi Fauj, later reorganised and renamed as the Fateh Shibji{{Efn|Also referred to as 8 Shibji Paltan later reorganised into the 7 Shibji.{{Sfn|Bakshi|2002|p=52}}|name=|group=}} from 1834 to 1841.{{Sfn|Bakshi|2002|p=52, 117}} The Fateh Shibji went on to become the 4th Battalion of the [[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles|Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment]] (it retains the historic name Fateh Shibji).{{Sfn|Bakshi|2002|p=52, 117}} Major General [[G. D. Bakshi]] wrote in 2002 that Basti Ram was a "tactician par excellence" and that he "should be a role model for Indian battalion commanders".{{Sfn|Bakshi|2002|p=144}}
[[File:Zorawerfort.jpg|right|thumb|165x165px|Zorawar fort in Ladakh. Basti Ram was the first ''Qiladar'' (commandant).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bansal|first=Bobby Singh|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jUiwDAAAQBAJ&q=Colonel+Mehta+Basti+Ram&pg=PT231|title=Remnants of the Sikh Empire: Historical Sikh Monuments in India & Pakistan|date=2015-12-01|publisher=Hay House, Inc|isbn=978-93-84544-93-5|language=en|chapter=10}}</ref>]]

=== Dogra conquest of Ladakh ===
Mehta Basti Ram was one of the main officers of [[Zorawar Singh Kahluria|Zorawar]]'s force and played a crucial role at multiple locations of the conquest of Ladakh which started in 1834. Basti Ram led an attack that resulted in the capture of the Fort of Sod/Soth (in [[Kargil]]) and subsequently the ''Gyalpo''.{{Sfn|Cunningham|1854|p=335}} The assault included crossing the [[Indus River]] on inflated goatskins.{{Sfn|Bakshi|2002|p=65}} During the conquest of Balti which started during the end of 1840, he found a way to cross a river that had caused Zorawar's army to halt for over a month in the cold and snow causing indiscipline to set in.{{Sfn|Cunningham|1854|p=347–349}} For this Zorawar gifted Mehta Basti Ram Rs. 500 and a pair of gold bangles while other instrumental soldiers were given gifts of lesser value.{{Efn|[[G. D. Bakshi]] writes that this [[bridgehead]] operation deserves to be "a classic" in "military history books".{{Sfn|Bakshi|2002|p=88}}|name=|group=}}{{Sfn|Cunningham|1854|p=349}} Basti Ram was also present during the capture of [[Skardu]].{{Sfn|Cunningham|1854|p=349–350}}

After Zorawar Singh's forces captured Western Tibet, Basti Ram was appointed the governor of [[Burang Town|Taklakot]] ([[Burang Town|Burang]]).{{Sfn|Cunningham|1854|p=351}} Soon afterwards, the Tibetans launched a counterattack during winter. Zorawar Singh was killed on 12 December 1941 and his army defeated.{{Sfn|Cunningham|1854|p=352}} The men stationed at Taklakot fled to the British province of Kumaon.{{Sfn|Cunningham|1854|p=353}} Basti Ram escaped to Almora where a British resident gave him shelter.{{Sfn|Cunningham|1854|p=332}} By the autumn of 1846, Basti Ram was appointed the ''thanadar'' of [[Zanskar]] and "one of the confidential servants of Maharaja Gulab Sing(h)".{{Sfn|Cunningham|1854|p=355}}

Basti Ram's account of the Dogra conquest of Ladakh and beyond, twelve years after the events, was one of the earliest. While the original version was lost, [[Alexander Cunningham]] had re-written Basti Ram's account based on a dictation by Basti Ram himself.{{Sfn|Francke|1926|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.175780/page/n273/mode/2up 257]}}{{Sfn|Neve|1926|p=246}} [[August Hermann Francke (Tibetologist)|August Hermann Francke]] notes that Basti Ram may have exaggerated the enemy numbers at certain locations.{{Sfn|Francke|1926|p=261}}

=== Governor of Ladakh ===
Basti Ram being the thanadar of Leh was the principal thanadar of Ladakh between 1847 and 1861.{{Sfn|Cunningham|1854|p=273–274}} At the time there were four other thanadars for Zanskar, Kargil, Dras and Nubra.{{Sfn|Cunningham|1854|p=273–274}} All the thanadars were independent of each other, each having military and civil authority in their districts and each one was only accountable to the Maharaja.{{Sfn|Cunningham|1854|p=273–274}} [[Alexander Cunningham]] estimated that Basti Ram's income would have been a "respectable" Rs.18,000 annually, (roughly £1,800 a year).{{Sfn|Cunningham|1854|p=274}} Basti Ram had previously been the incharge of Zanskar.{{Sfn|Cunningham|1854|p=273–274}} By the time Lieutenant Colonel [[Henry Torrens]] passed through Ladakh, Torrens wrote that "the Governor, Basti Ram, had grown too old and feeble to hold the reins of Government, and had, some months before, retired to his home in the valley of Kishtawar, there to spend the last days of his active life in peace; a successor had not yet been appointed by the Maharaja".{{Sfn|Torrens|1862|p=171–172}} Instead, Torrens met the ''Kahlone''{{Efn|Also spelt ''Kahlon''.{{Sfn|Cunningham|1854|p=277}} Old Tibetan title signifying Prime Minister.{{Sfn|Torrens|1862|p=171–172}} Cunningham notes that "the term is also applied to the chief men of all the districts."{{Sfn|Cunningham|1854|p=335}}|name=|group=}} ''of Le'', the "nominal governor". The ''Kahlone'' got little respect from the Sikhs.{{Sfn|Torrens|1862|p=172}}
== Family ==
Basti Ram was a [[Rajput|Hindu Rajput]] of the Mehta family from [[Kishtwar]]. His grandfather had been in charge of military affairs under the last Kishtwar ruler Mohammad Teg Singh.{{Sfn|Bakshi|2002|p=120}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nayyar|first=Sanjeev|date=2016|title=Zorawar Singh Museum Leh|url=https://www.esamskriti.com/album-detail.aspx?state=Jammu-and-Kashmir&albumname=Zorawar-Singh-Museum-Leh|access-date=2021-01-05|website=eSamskriti|language=en-us}}</ref> Basti Ram's son [[Mehta Mangal]] succeeded him as Governor of Ladakh.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Chohan|first=Amar Singh|url=http://archive.org/details/dli.ernet.242486|title=Historical Study Of Society and Culture In Dardistan and Ladakh|publisher=Atlantic Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi|year=1983|pages=200–201}}</ref>

Basti Ram's great-granddaughter was [[Krishna Mehta (Kashmir)|Krishna Mehta]], who went on to become the first woman member of parliament from Jammu and Kashmir. Krishna Mehta had been married to Duni Chand Mehta who was appointed as the ''wazir-e-wazarat'' of [[Muzaffarabad]]. In October 1947, Duni Chand was killed by [[Pashtun tribal invasion of Kashmir|Pashtun tribal militias]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Krishna Mehta|url=http://krishnamehta.net/KrishnaMehta.htm|access-date=2020-12-29|website=krishnamehta.net}}</ref> and Krishna Mehta was taken prisoner and eventually repatriated by Pakistan. Krishna Mehta's brother [[Om Mehta]] served as a [[Cabinet of India|Minister of State]] for Home Affairs in [[Indira Gandhi]]'s government in 1976. Another younger brother Ved Mehta was at one time the president of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 April 2015|title=Ved Mehta passes away|url=http://www.kashmirtimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=40351|access-date=2020-12-29|website=Kashmir Times}}</ref>

== References ==
'''Notes'''
{{Notelist}}
'''Citations'''{{Reflist}}'''Bibliography'''
* {{Cite book|last=Francke|first=August Hermann|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.175780/page/n273/mode/2up |via=archive.org |chapter=Basti Ram's account of Dogra War and Cunningham's 'other information' |title=Antiquities of Indian Tibet|publisher=S. Chand & Co.|year=1926|isbn=9788120607699|editor-last=Thomas|editor-first=Frederick William|volume=2: The Chronicles of Ladakh and Minor Chronicles|location=New Delhi|publication-date=1972|author-link=August Hermann Francke (Tibetologist)}}
* {{Cite book|last=Bakshi|first=G. D.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4S99oXkx_-cC|title=Footprints in the Snow: On the Trail of Zorawar Singh|publisher=Lancer Publishers|year=2002|isbn=9788170622925|location=New Delhi|chapter=9—Colonel Basti Ram: Tactician Par Excellence|author-link=G. D. Bakshi}}
*{{Cite book|last=Torrens|url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.35521|title=Travels in Ladakh, Tartary, and Kashmir|publisher=Saunders, Otley's, and Co.|year=1862|location=London|first=Lieut–Colonel Henry D.|author-link=Henry Torrens}}
*{{Cite book|last=Neve|first=Arthur|title=Thirty Years in Kashmir|publisher=[[Edward Arnold (publisher)|Edward Arnold]]|year=1913|location=London|author-link=Arthur Neve}}
*{{Cite book|last=Cunningham|first=Alexander|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.127431/mode/1up?q=Mehta+Basti+Ram|title=Ladak, Physical, Statistical, and Historical; with notices of the surrounding countries|publisher=[[W. H. Allen & Co.]]|year=1854|location=London|author-link=Alexander Cunningham}}

== Further reading ==

* {{Cite book|last=Charak|first=Sukhdev Singh|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12482/page/n7/mode/2up?q=%22Mehta+Basti+Ram%22|title=Indian Conquest of the Himalayan Territories: Military Exploits of General Zorawar Singh Dogra|publisher=Ajaya Prakashan|year=1978|location=Jammu}}
* {{Cite book|last=Charak|first=Sukhdev Singh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_qk-DwAAQBAJ|title=General Zorawar Singh Dogra|publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India|year=2016|isbn=9788123026480|location=New Delhi}}
* {{Cite book|last=Prasad|first=Shankar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_Wxsgt6_0TYC|title=The Gallant Dogras: An Illustrated History of the Dogra Regiment|publisher=Lancer Publishers|others=Dogra Regimental Centre|year=2005|isbn=9788170622680|location=New Delhi}}
* {{Cite book|last1=Kaul|first1=Shridhar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8J3YdskW00sC|title=Ladakh Through the Ages, Towards a New Identity|last2=Kaul|first2=H. N.|publisher=Indus Publishing|year=1992|isbn=9788185182759|edition=3|location=New Delhi}}
* {{Cite book|last=Kaul|first=H. N.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mg8My6WaWRcC|title=Rediscovery of Ladakh|publisher=Indus Publishing|year=1998|isbn=9788173870866|location=New Delhi}}

[[Category:Governors of Ladakh]]
[[Category:People from Kishtwar district]]
[[Category:19th-century Indian people]]